Africa Traveling

Gravel Africa
Partners

Do you want to be part of our unique cycling tours through Africa? We are open to collaborations with partners who value adventure, nature and culture as much as we do. Contact us and discover how we can create an unforgettable gravel experience together!

Social Rides

Several times a year we organize a Social Ride from our clubhouse Mechanieker Zwolle. Each edition takes you on a new, challenging route: sometimes towards the Veluwe, other times right through Salland or the Vechtdal.

Our course builders know how to surprise you time and again with undiscovered gravel gems in the region. From crunchy shell paths to fast single tracks and from remote cart tracks to quiet farm roads – every ride offers a mix of adventure and discovery.

Gravel Africa is not about speed or performance, but about enjoying together. Good coffee, delicious apple pie and nice conversations along the way are at least as important as the kilometers. Afterwards we toast to a successful ride with a cold drink, while we chat together about a fantastic day on the bike. Out together, home together.

If you want to participate in our social ride, it is wise to keep an eye on our socials or sign up for the newsletter. You can register below if you want to stay informed.

accommodations

Gravel Africa selects only small-scale lodges and unique country estates that match the adventurous nature of our trips. Many of these accommodations are run by local communities, which ensures an authentic and hospitable experience. We choose our accommodations strategically, close to nature reserves and along the most beautiful gravel routes, so that after a day of cycling you can enjoy peace, comfort and a good meal in a special environment.

Wildlife

During the Gravel Africa tours we cross vast areas of wilderness where wildlife roams freely. Along the way we may encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras and antelopes, as we cycle through savannahs, mountain passes and along rivers. Our routes take us deep into the wilderness, where we have the unique opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat – a pure and unforgettable experience that only Africa can offer.

Culinary

Gravel Africa is not just about cycling, it is also about enjoying the local cuisine. Whether we dine in a charming lodge, cook together on an open fire or enjoy a freshly prepared meal in the field kitchen – every meal is an experience in itself. Our guides and chefs prepare nutritious and tasty dishes daily, inspired by African cuisine. After a long day in the saddle, a well-prepared meal tastes better than ever.

Mechanic Zwolle

A gravel trip like the Zambezi, Namibia or Cape Cross demands a lot from your equipment. A well-prepared bike is essential to fully enjoy the adventure. That is why we work together with Mechanieker Zwolle, the specialist in the field of gravel bikes and maintenance.

Henk Zuidema, owner of Mechanieker Zwolle and former mechanic for international cycling teams, is an expert in bicycles and material selection. His shop is not only the place where René bought his indestructible titanium gravel bike from J Guillem, but is now also the official clubhouse of Gravel Africa.

Before each trip, we organize an information meeting in the shop, where Henk gives advice on material selection and preparation. In addition, our Social Rides depart from Mechanieker Zwolle, the perfect starting and ending point for a fun gravel ride. Handy if you want to quickly check your tire pressure or need a spare tire!

Songo – Cycling for a Better Future

At Gravel Africa we believe in sustainable and responsible travel. We believe it is important that the countries we visit benefit from tourism, not only by staying in small-scale accommodations, but also by supporting local initiatives.

Youth center Songo in Stellenbosch is a great example of this. This inspiring project offers underprivileged children the opportunity to combine education and cycling, supervised by a passionate team. This gives them the chance to escape poverty and develop skills that improve their future prospects.

Gravel Africa actively supports Songo and donates a fixed amount to this beautiful initiative for all Gravel Africa trips. We donate to Songo for all Gravel Africa trips and during the Cape Cross Gravel tour we visit the center, where we are given a tour by Sipho Madolo, one of the inspiring forces behind the project. In this way we contribute to the awareness and support of this beautiful initiative!

Chiru Bikes

Gravel Africa is all about adventure and discovering new possibilities. That’s why we’ve entered into a first partnership with Chiru Bikes, known for their high-performance gravel and adventure bikes.

Our guide Youri takes the Chiru Vagus out on the road to test whether this bike can withstand the rough and varied conditions of our travels. From endless gravel roads and technical single tracks to challenging mountain passes and dry riverbeds – the Vagus has to endure a lot.

The goal? To experience whether this bike is the perfect companion for the adventurous routes of Gravel Africa. We are curious to see how the Chiru Vagus performs in the heart of Africa and look forward to Youri’s first findings!

South-Afrika

The Cape Cross takes you on a breathtaking adventure through South Africa. In eight days you cycle over endless gravel roads, through rugged mountain passes and past vast vineyards, while enjoying spectacular views and the pure beauty of the country. With atmospheric accommodations, local specialties and perfect organization, this is an unforgettable experience.

Namibia

The Gravel Africa Namibia tour takes you through one of the most pristine and rugged landscapes in the world. In eight days you will cycle on endless gravel roads, through vast savannahs and along deep river gorges, while enjoying the silence and pure beauty of the desert. With unique overnight stays under the stars and authentic local experiences, this is an adventure you will never forget.

Zambezi

The Zambezi Gravel Tour is an adventurous journey along one of Africa’s most iconic rivers. In eight days you will cycle through vast savannahs, along the mighty Zambezi and over endless gravel roads, while spotting wildlife and experiencing the pristine wilderness. With unique overnight stays, a boat trip on Lake Kariba and a final game drive, this is a cycling adventure that you will remember forever.

Gravel Africa & Songo: Cycling with Impact

At Gravel Africa, we believe in the power of sport to change lives. That’s why we partner with Songo, an inspiring youth development program in South Africa. Songo offers underprivileged children in Stellenbosch the opportunity to build a better future through education and mountain biking. With every Gravel Africa trip, we donate a fixed amount to this project and visit Songo, where we experience the children and their passion for cycling up close. This way, your adventure contributes to a lasting, positive impact.

How does it work?

Let's make your gravel dream trip through Southern Africa a reality​

Fill in the contact form and Gravel Afrika Reis will contact you as soon as possible.